Four Alumni from Same Era Work for U.S. Embassy in Turkey

Monterey Institute alumni know that they can bump into each other in just about anywhere in the world, but for four alumni from the same era to find themselves working to strengthen U.S. – Turkey relations at the same time is quite a coincidence! The MIIS contingent in Ankara came together for a photo when Secretary of State John Kerry visited the country earlier this year.

Andrew (Andy) Hay (MAIPS ’05), his wife Ayse Uygur-Hay (MAITP ’05), and Jess Paulsen (MAIPS ’05) all graduated in 2005, while Tyler Hoffman (MACD ’03) finished two years earlier. Andrew is first person to ever hold the position Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellow for the U.S. State Department in Turkey. He will be seconded to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, working closely with Turkish diplomats. Ayse works as an analyst for the Department of Defense, stationed in the Embassy, where Jess Paulson is the agricultural attaché. Tyler Hoffman works for the State Department as an export control and related border security advisor responsible for Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. They are all also happy to stay in touch with fellow alumnus Dr. Sebnem Udum (MAIPS ’01), a prominent professor of international relations at Ankara’s Hacettepe University.